Snowbarger's Kansas district picked up by Democrat Moore

(AllPolitics, November 3) -- Republican Rep. Vince Snowbarger of Kansas lost his re-election bid Tuesday to former Johnson County District Attorney Dennis Moore.

Democrats targeted Snowbarger's 3rd congressional district early in the election cycle as a potential pick-up. Moore, a smart, tough and articulate nominee, quickly proved to be a difficult opponent.

Unlike Snowbarger, who hates to raise money, the Democratic challenger raised a large war chest.

Moore, a prosecutor, focused his campaign on crime. He also stressed issues such as preserving Social Security and Medicare and strengthening education.

Though Moore calls himself a moderate, Snowbarger painted his opponent's positions on abortion, gun owner rights and the minimum wage as typical of the more liberal wing of his party.

The GOP incumbent, first elected in 1996, is a favorite with conservatives, but the Kansas GOP is split ideologically and party moderates don't like his views.

Before being voted into the U.S. Congress, Snowbarger served as majority leader of the Kansas House of Representatives for four years.

The assistant majority whip, Snowbarger has been an active legislator and member of several committees and subcommittees, including the Committee on Government Reform and Oversight as well as the Subcommittee on National Economic Growth, Natural Resources and Regulatory Affairs.

Moore, who lost a bid for Kansas state attorney general in 1986, has spent the last decade in private practice.